Assault and other charges were dismissed “in the interest of justice” Thursday against a paparazzo who was pummeled by “Avatar” star Sam Worthington.

Shutterbug Sheng Li, 37, is off the hook after using his own footage to prove that it was Worthington’s Aussie stunner girlfriend, Lara Bingle, who started the Feb. 23 dustup in Greenwich Village — by attacking Li first.

The audio in Li’s clip also captured Worthington threatening Li and socking him in the face as the violent encounter escalated.

Manhattan prosecutors had originally leapt to Worthington’s side, charging Li not only with assault, but harassment and reckless endangerment for having followed Bingle for hours in hopes of the perfect photo.

Worthington, meanwhile, was quickly granted a no-jail, conditional discharge on misdemeanor assault charges at a court hearing he didn’t even attend.

But on Thursday, Assistant District Attorney Francesca Bartolomey told a judge that her office was dropping the case after “a careful evaluation of the facts and in consideration of the injuries sustained by both (Bingle) and (Li).”

“When Ms. Bingle’s boyfriend arrived at the scene, he admittedly punched this defendant in the face,” Bartolomey said.

Photo: Splash News

The photographer filmed the entire tussle, during which Bingle, 26, screams, “Stop following me!” and lunges at Li, who responds, “Don’t touch me!”

Photo: Splash News

The video cuts several seconds later to Worthington, who cannot be seen on film but is heard punching the paparazzo and yelling, “You wanna f—–g wanna kick my wife?”

Photo: Splash News

“I was really happy that justice has been served,” Li said of the decision.

High-power defense attorney Mark Jay Heller said Li remains unable to work after suffering tears to his rotator cuff and tendons, as well as injuries to his head, face and jaw.

Li’s complaint remains under investigation by the Department of Justice regardless of Thursday’s dismissal, Heller said.

“Be assured that this office takes allegations of criminal conduct very seriously and carefully reviews any investigative evidence presented to support such allegations,” the DOJ wrote Heller Tuesday, a day after the complaint was filed.

The attorney said he’ll now also fight to have felony assault, attempted robbery and filing a false report charges brought against Bingle.